Hair styling device

ABSTRACT

A hair styling device which may include a handle and a heating element connected to the handle. The handle can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The heating element may be connected to the distal end of the handle and include a surface. First and second combs may be arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle so that hair can be received through the combs and placed in proximity to the surface of the heating element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to hair styling devices and methods for their use.

BACKGROUND

Hair curling irons and curling brushes are well known. Most conventional curling irons utilize a smooth, elongated tubular barrel secured to a handle, with a heating element inside the tube. An unheated clamp extends along a portion of the barrel for the purpose of clamping or holding sections of hair against the round barrel. Heat that is transferred from the heating element to the barrel causes hair which is wrapped around the barrel to retain a curl after the hair is removed from the curling iron. This type of device is used primarily to create “flat” or spiral curls which mimic the effect of a roller set. However, the curls are somewhat flat and ribbon-like. Also, the clamp on the curling iron tends to crimp hair at its edges, which is an undesired look. Flat hair styling irons are also used to straighten hair with no curvature. A known drawback of these devices is that only flat, pressed hair is obtained, which looks unnatural.

Heated hair curling brushes use a barrel that has elongated teeth to catch and comb the hair while the hair is being curled. Since they usually do not have a clamp, curling brushes do not produce the sharp ribbon-like curls of a curling iron, and tend to make soft curls or styles. The teeth on the barrel reduce clumping by separating the hair strands, and because of the absence of the clamp, the crimping effect of curling irons is alleviated. One drawback of a curling brush is the inability to press naturally curly hair for straightening purposes.

While conventional curling irons provide some control over the styled hair, as far as providing the stylist the desired results, curling brushes do not provide such control. Rather, a curling brush provides the stylist with little or no control as to exactly how the hair will look after styling is completed.

Another conventional hair styling device is known as a crimper and is used for straightening curly hair. Crimpers include a pair of opposed, flat, heated surfaces which are pressed together along a section of hair so as to straighten the hair. A disadvantage of crimpers is that they provide an unnatural “pressed” look to the hair.

Thus, there is a need for a hair styling device which allows the user or stylist to easily smooth or press hair for curling, straightening, and/or styling of the hair from the root.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to a hair styling device and methods for using the same.

Certain embodiments of the present invention can include a hair styling device including a handle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A heating element may be connected to the distal end of the handle and include at least one surface. First and second combs may be arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element so that hair can be received through the first and second combs and placed in proximity to the at least one surface of the heating element.

Other embodiments of the present invention can include a hair styling device including a handle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A heating element may be connected to the distal end of the handle and include at least one surface. First and second combs having a plurality of teeth may be arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element and the teeth can extend upwardly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle so that hair can be received through the first and second combs and placed in proximity to the at least one surface of the heating element.

Still other embodiments of the present invention may include a hair styling device having a handle including a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A heating element may be connected to the distal end of the handle and include at least one surface. A means for styling hair may be arranged in parallel on opposite sides of the heating element to receive hair therethrough and place the hair in proximity to the at least one surface of the heating element.

Still yet other embodiments of the present invention can include a method of styling hair comprising the steps of separating hair underneath the lower back of the head into sections, positioning a hair styling device having combs with a plurality of teeth downwardly and close to the scalp so as to grip hair extending between the combs and across a surface of the heating element, and sliding the device down through the hair located between the combs.

The invention may be embodied by numerous other devices and methods. The description provided herein, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses examples of the invention. Other embodiments, which incorporate some or all of the elements or steps as taught herein, are also possible and would be readily envisioned or manufactured by one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a hair styling device that may be employed with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a-b show side views of the hair styling device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a-d illustrate method steps for using the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of method steps that may be employed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 a, and 2 b, a hair styling device 10 is shown including a handle 2 and a working end 4. The working end 4 may include a heating element 8 and first and second combs 12 a, b. The first and second combs 12 a, b can be arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element 8, and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (x) of the handle 2.

As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a, the handle 2 can include proximal and distal ends, 3 and 5, respectively. The handle 2 itself may be made of rubber or any other suitable heat-insulating material, and is shaped to fit comfortably in either hand of the user. The handle 2 may also be shaped so that when it is placed on a flat surface, the heating element 8 can be supported at a safe distance above the flat surface so as to decrease the chance of injury and/or fire.

At the proximal end 3 of the handle 2 is an electric power cord 6. In the example, a nine-inch jacketed swivel cord is used with a polarized plug on the end; however, any suitable power cord may be used. The handle can include a control panel 20. In the example, the control panel 20 includes a power switch 22, two switches 24 and 26 for decreasing and increasing the temperature of the heating element 8, a LCD display screen 28, and an indicator light 30. In the example shown, there are four heat settings for fine (200° F.), normal (275° F.), thick (350° F.) and coarse (430° F.) hair; however, any number of heat settings and temperatures may be used. The LCD display may indicate the relative temperature setting by any suitable manner, including, but not limited to, numbers, bars, or some other visual scale.

FIG. 2 b shows a side view of the internal components of the device 10 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The heating mechanism, including the power switch 22, the increase/decrease buttons 24 and 26, the relationship with the LCD display, and the indicator light are not described in further detail, as they are well-known in the art.

To turn the device on, the power switch 22 can be depressed. The indicator light 30 may begin to blink to indicate the device is heating up and will stop blinking and remain on when the device reaches the indicated setting. To increase or decrease the temperature, the buttons 24 and 26 are used. When the user is finished with the device 10, depressing the power switch 22 will turn the device off and the heating element 8 can quickly cool down.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a, at the distal end 5 of the handle 2 is the working end 4 of the device 10. In the example shown, the working end 4 has a heating element 8 connected thereto and first and second combs 12 a, b disposed on opposite sides of the heating element 8.

The heating element 8 may be connected to the handle in any manner as is well known in the art. The heating element 8 may have top, bottom, and side surfaces. Likewise, the heating element 8 may be any suitable shape, for instance, in the example the heating element 8 is barrel-shaped. In the example, the heating element 8 is approximately one-half inch diameter cylinder, but in other embodiments can alternatively be semi-circular, planar-shaped, etc. The heating element 8 is heated when the power switch is turned on, and reaches the default lowest temperature of 200° F., in this example, in under about one minute. The heating element 8 can be made of any suitable material, including ceramic, and is preferably heat-conducting. For example, the ceramic can be composed of Brazilian tourmaline, which is piezoelectric and pyroelectric. Thus, when the heating element is heated, the tourmaline generates an electric charge, emitting negative ions to make hair shine and eliminate frizz.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the heating element can include an anti-bacterial coating that is composed of micro silver, which cleans and deodorizes the hair, minimizing germ growth and preventing bacteria from spreading.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 a, and 2 b, the combs 12 a, b can be arranged parallel to one another, on opposite sides of the heating element 8, with a plurality of teeth 11 extending a small distance above a surface (e.g., a top surface) of the heating element 8. The first and second combs 12 a, b may also be arranged perpendicular (e.g., along the y-axis) to the longitudinal axis (x) of the handle 2 so that hair can be received through the combs and over a surface of the heating element 8. The teeth 11 can extend upwardly in a direction away from the longitudinal axis (x) of the handle. The first and second combs 12 a, b can be made of plastic, or any other non-conducting material. In the examples, the combs are rigid, non-bristle type combs. Although combs are shown in these examples, other hair styling implements (e.g., brushes, picks, etc.) may be used in other embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 2 b, the bottom surface 9 of the heating element 8 may also be surrounded by a support member 14 that extends between a lower surface of the first and second combs 12 a, b. If used, support member 14 can have any shape, such as a flat or rounded configuration.

Certain embodiments of the present invention also contemplate a method of using the device for styling a person's hair. In an example of the method of using the device depicted in FIG. 1, 2 a, and 2 b, the user turns the device 10 on using power switch 22, chooses a heat setting using buttons 24 and 26, and waits until the device reaches the chosen setting, which is indicated when the indicator light 30 stops blinking.

As seen in FIG. 3 a, the user then separates the hair underneath the lower back of the scalp, for example, into one inch or one-half inch thick sections. Beginning at the hairline of each section, the user places the teeth of the combs 12 a, b downward, close to the scalp, to grip the hair (being careful not to touch the scalp with the hot heating element 8). It can also be seen that support member(s) 14 can help prevent a user fingers from contacting the heating element 8. The hair is thus placed across the first and second combs 12 a, b, and contacts a surface of the heating element 8 located in between. The user then can maintain pressure on the hair, slowly sliding the device down each section of hair to create a smooth sleek look.

Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 3 b, the user can add lift and volume to hair by holding the device 10 with the teeth of the first and second combs pointing upward, and pulling up while sliding the device along the hair.

As seen in FIGS. 3 c-d, the device 10 can also be used to comb the hair after the styling is complete or to turn in or flip the ends of each section of hair to achieve a desired style.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart including method steps that may be employed with certain embodiments of the present invention for styling hair. Step 410 may include separating hair underneath the lower back of the head into sections. Step 420 can include positioning a hair styling device having combs with a plurality of teeth downwardly and close to the scalp so as to grip hair extending between the combs and across a surface of the heating element. Step 430 may include sliding the device down through the hair located between the combs.

In embodiments, not shown, the sequence of method steps may be reordered and steps may be added or removed. The steps may also be modified.

While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments are possible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various examples of the hair styling device are not intended to be limiting, and any number of modifications, combinations, and alternatives of the examples may be employed to facilitate hair styling.

The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be shown on only certain embodiments or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention. Likewise, methods described and disclosed may also be performed in various sequences, with some or all of the disclosed steps being performed in a different order than described while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A hair styling device, comprising: a handle including a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a heating element connected to the distal end of the handle including at least one surface; and first and second combs arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element, wherein hair is received through the first and second combs and placed in proximity to the at least one surface of the heating element.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element is barrel-shaped.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element further comprises an anti-bacterial coating.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element is electrically charged when heated.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises tourmaline.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises ceramic.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one support member extending between the first and second combs.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one support member having a flat bottom.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second combs extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second combs are non-bristled.
 11. A hair styling device, comprising: a handle including a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a heating element connected to the distal end of the handle including at least one surface; and first and second combs having a plurality of teeth, the combs arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element and the teeth extending upwardly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, wherein hair is received through the first and second combs and placed in proximity to the at least one surface of the heating element.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the heating element is barrel-shaped.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the heating element further comprises an anti-bacterial coating.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the heating element is electrically charged when heated.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one surface is the top surface.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second combs are rigid.
 17. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second combs are non-bristled.
 18. The device of claim 11, further comprising at least one support member extending between the first and second combs.
 19. A hair styling device, comprising: a handle including a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a heating element connected to the distal end of the handle including at least one surface; and means for styling hair arranged in parallel on opposite sides of the heating element to receive hair therethrough and place the hair in proximity to the at least one surface of the heating element.
 20. A method for styling hair, comprising: separating hair underneath the lower back of the head into sections; positioning a hair styling device having combs with a plurality of teeth downwardly and close to the scalp so as to grip a section of hair extending between the combs and across a surface of the heating element; and sliding the device down through the section of hair located between the combs. 